T&T Pro League club Ma Pau FC will start their pre-season training in style with a trip to Brazil to compete in the annual Finta Cup tournament.
According to public relations director Brent Yorke, the team will use the occasion to fine-tune their preparations for what he hopes is a good season ahead.
"In January 2009 Ma Pau FC will embark on an important journey towards achieving success in their upcoming Pro League season," Yorke said during a press conference yesterday at Ma Pau's Sweet Lime restaurant on Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook.
Ma Pau will also meet their new coach.
"Ma Pau intends to prove that they are a formidable challenger to the Pro League throne in 2009. The trip will be used as a catalyst for honing talent within the squad as well as to introduce newly-inducted Brazilian coach, Vega da Silva, to his team."
Morgan is hoping the experience his team gets will have an impact on their 2009 Pro League campaign and that they learn from the trip to South America.
"This is a wonderful experience for the Ma Pau team, because we all know that this is a very young team and this trip...we'll take this trip for experience because as you know, we're going to Brazil, and that's the land of football."
Ma Pau were also excited to once again retain the services of former national youth coach Ron La Forest, who will coach their youth teams, with emphasis towards development.
Ma Pau team:
Shane Mattis, Akino Morgan (captain), Akiel Benjamin, Rene Britto and Sherwin Joseph, Adrian Noel, Tyrone Charles, Keron Benito, Trevin Ceasar, Sayid Freitas, Jerome Smith; Jill Paul (manager).